How to Bury St. Joseph

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has over 464,124 views, and 97% of readers who voted found it helpful. It also received 15 testimonials from readers, earning it our reader-approved status.
Learn more...

Burying a statue of St. Joseph is a traditional and popular practice people often resort to when trying to sell a house. The exact placement of the statue can vary depending on who you ask, but there is still a general procedure you should follow.

Buy a statue of Saint Joseph. Choose a small, simple statue so that the burial will be easier to perform. You can by saint statues at Catholic supply stores and online.

The ideal height is between 3 and 4 inches (7.6 and 10 cm).

Nowadays, you can even buy a St. Joseph “home selling kit” from retailers and some real estate offices. These kits usually come with a small statue of St. Joseph, a prayer card, and instructions on the practice.

Can you please put wikiHow on the whitelist for your ad blocker? wikiHow relies on ad money to give you our free how-to guides. Learn how.

Wrap the statue in protective cloth. Take a soft, clean washcloth or similar material and wrap it around the statue several time, covering all sides, including the top and bottom. Consider placing the wrapped statue in a resealable plastic bag, as well.

You could also wrap the statue in plastic wrap or place it directly in the plastic bag without first wrapping it in a cloth. The idea is simply to protect it from as much dirt and damage as possible.

Wrapping the statue is a matter of practicality, but more importantly, it is also a sign of respect. Even though you are burying his statue, St. Joseph is still a saint, so you should demonstrate a certain degree of respect for his likeness.

Bury the statue. Dig a hole in your yard that is deep enough to fit the entire statue. Place the wrapped statue inside, then fill the rest of the hole in with dirt. Note that any specifics concerning the exact placement of the statue vary depending on who you ask, so there is no one definitive choice.

The most common tradition holds that you should bury the statue near the "For Sale" sign or near the road. Place the statue inside the hole upside-down and facing your house.

Others insist that the statue should face the road to symbolize the act of leaving the home.

Some traditions also suggest placing the statue right side up or lying on its back, pointing toward the house like an arrow.[1]

You could also consider placing the statue 3 feet (1 m) away from the rear of the house or in your rear yard flower bed.

Consider burying the statue in a flower pot. If you live in an apartment or a condominium, you may not have a yard that you can bury the statue in. Under these circumstances, you should bury the statue in a large flower pot. Place the flower pot on a deck, patio, or windowsill.

The flower pot can have something growing in it, but this is not a strict necessity.

Note that the rest of the tradition stays the same. You should still wrap the statue in protective cloth and treat it with the same degree of reverence.

Consider keeping the statue in your home. If the thought of burying a statue of St. Joseph seems disrespectful to you, consider placing the statue in your home, instead. Set the statue down in a window or on a counter in clear sight of the “For Sale” sign in your yard.

When doing this, you do not need to wrap the statue in protective cloth.

Burying the statue is a matter of tradition, not doctrine. There is no Catholic doctrine stating that burying a statue of St. Joseph will help you sell your house. Church teachings do suggest that calling for St. Joseph's intercession when selling your home can help, though, which is why keeping a statue of St. Joseph in your home during the sale would likely work just as well as burying the statue.

Advertisement

Score0 / 0

Part 1 Quiz

If you're keeping your St. Joseph statue inside your home instead of burying it, where is the best location for the likeness?

Wrapped in cloth by the window.

Not quite! If you're keeping the St. Joseph statue inside your home, there is no need to wrap the figure in a cloth first. The likeness will likely work better if it's not wrapped up and is instead watching over the house. If you're burying the statue in your yard or a plant pot, it's more respectful to wrap it in a cloth to protect the statue from the dirt. Try again...

On the statue's back pointing inside the house.

Not exactly! Your St. Joseph statue doesn't need to be on it's back when inside your home. Also, the figure may work better if it's facing outward, not inward. Guess again!

In a window in sight of the "For Sale" sign.

Nice! The best and most common location for a St. Joseph statue you're keeping inside your home is in a window facing the "For Sale" sign. St. Joseph will watch over the sale of your house. While there is no official place to keep the statue, keeping it in view of the "For Sale" is typically considered the best location. Read on for another quiz question.

In a window facing the back yard.

Try again! Some people prefer burying their St. Joseph statue in their backyard as opposed to the front. There is no official area of the home or yard to place your figure, but if you're keeping the likeness inside, most people will keep it closer to the front of their home. There’s a better option out there!

Pray upon burial. As soon as you bury the statue, you should say a prayer to St. Joseph, asking for his intercession. The exact prayer can vary, and you can go with a pre-written prayer or a prayer from your own heart.

Some prayers “threaten” St. Joseph, essentially stating that he should sell your home for you if he wants to get out of the ground. These prayers somewhat undermine the value of asking for intercession, however, so they are generally not preferred.

Consider using a simple, humble prayer, like the following:

"O Blessed St. Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray you to join with me in praising God the Father through his divine Son who died on the cross and rose again to give us sinners new life. Through the holy name of Jesus, pray that we may obtain from the eternal Father the favor we ask for: our home sale. We have been unfaithful to the unfailing love of God the Father; beg of Jesus mercy for us his brothers and sisters. Amid the splendors of God's loving presence, do not forget the sorrows of whose who weep. By your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, our blessed Lady, may the love of Jesus answer our call of confident hope. Amen."

Say a prayer each day until the house sells. While saying a single prayer at the time of burial is good, repeating a prayer for intercession each day from that point on demonstrates a greater degree of faith and earnestness. You can say the same prayer each day or offer a different one.

Try a nine-day novena. Instead of saying a standard prayer each day, you could try saying a novena. A novena is a set of prayers recited over the course of nine days. There are different variations, but essentially, you say a different prayer each day and follow each prayer with an “Our Father.” Consider using the following novena:[2]

Day One: O God, guide of those who listen and helper of those who hear your voice, speak to me, as you did to St. Joseph, and help me accomplish the things you give me to do.

Day Two: O God, you love your people and bless the ordinary lives we quietly live. As you blessed St. Joseph, bless what I do, however hidden and simple it may be, and let all I do be done with love.

Day Three: O God, ever faithful, you remember us always and in time reveal your blessings. Help me trust in you, as St. Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts you promise me.

Day Four: God of families, bless the family that's mine. Keep us safe from harm, and never let evil come between us. Let peace remain in our hearts.

Day Five: O God, who loves children, be kind to our children today. Give them eyes of faith for seeing far, a loving heart for welcoming life, and a place always at your side.

Day Six: God of our heavenly home, bless our home on earth. Let the spirit of Mary and Joseph rest at our table, shape our words and actions, and bring blessing to our children.

Day Seven: God, our Father, give your fatherly spirit to those who are fathers now. Like Joseph, give them hearts of devoted love for their wives and children and strength for forgiveness and patience.

Day Eight: Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together families divided. Give us enough to eat, and decent work to earn our bread. Care for us, O God.

Day 9: Bless all families, O Lord, especially those in need. Remembering the life of your Son, we pray for the poor, for those who lack a good home, for those in exile. Grant them a protector like Joseph, O God.

Advertisement

Score0 / 0

Part 2 Quiz

Which type of prayer is better to offer to St. Joseph?

Tell St. Joseph that you promise to dig him up from your yard when he sells your house.

Nope! This example is threatening to St. Joseph and is typically not the best prayer to offer when burying the statue. Instead of giving St. Joseph an ultimatum, i.e., you'll dig him up if he sells your home, try offering a simple, loving prayer. Guess again!

Tell St. Joseph that you need your house sold immediately.

Not exactly! While quickly selling your house is often part of the reason you're burying St. Joseph in the first place, you should avoid praying for an immediate sale instead of something more simple. When you're praying, focus on praying in a way that demonstrates faith rather than making demands. Choose another answer!

Tell St. Joseph that you are grateful for his help in any way possible.

That's right! Grateful, peaceful prayers are the best to offer St. Joseph. Instead of threatening the Saint or focusing only on what he is supposed to do for you, let the Saint know that you are grateful for all help. Read on for another quiz question.

Dig up the statue when your house sells. As soon as the contract is signed and the final details are in order, remove the statue from its place in your yard. Unwrap the protective cloth and wash away any dirt that managed to get on the statue itself.

According to legend, if you leave the statue in the yard, the new owners of the house will not be able to stay there for a long time. New owners will come and go until the statue is finally removed.

While there may not be any proof to back this legend, removing the statue should at least be done as a sign of respect.

Give thanks. Offer a prayer of thanks—first to God, and then to St. Joseph for his intercession. You can offer a prayer from your heart and in your own words, or you could say a generic pre-written prayer of thanks. Either way, the important thing is to pray with sincerity.

An example prayer of thanks would be:

"Heavenly Father, I thank you for my life and everything you have bestowed upon me and upon all people, this day and every day. I thank you for the good and bad, the understanding of forgiveness, and your holy power, without which we would have nothing. I thank you this day for all your blessings, your gifts, your never ending love for us. Although we all are sinners, I ask you to forgive me every day for what I might have done wrong, that I might not have noticed. Even though we all come short of the glory of God, I thank you for the sacrifice of your only son Jesus Christ for all our sins. You and only you know us Father and you know if our hearts are true. So once again, I thank you with all my heart and soul. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen."[3]

Display the statue in a place of honor in your new home. Since intercession to St. Joseph helped you sell your home, it is customary to display the statue you buried in your new home. Doing so demonstrates gratitude and reverence.

The display does not need to be anything fancy. Simply sitting the statue on your mantel or desk will suffice.

Advertisement

Score0 / 0

Part 3 Quiz

According to legend, what could happen if you don't remove the statue after you sell your house?

The new owners won't live in the house for long.

Yup! Removing the statue is a sign of respect toward St. Joseph, and it can help the new owners live longer in the home. The legends say that leaving the statue buried in the yard will prevent the new owners from living long in the house and will result in multiple people moving in and out until the figure is dug up. Read on for another quiz question.

The new owners will have bad luck.

Not quite! The legend doesn't specify anything about the new owner's luck. However, digging up the statue does show respect toward St. Joseph, which demonstrates your faith and gratitude. Click on another answer to find the right one...

The buyers will back out of the sale.

Nope! If you're going to dig up the statue, you should wait until you have signed the papers finalizing the sale of your home. Not digging up the figure before everyone has signed the papers doesn't mean the buyers will leave the sale. Guess again!

The new owners can't sell the house in the future.

Try again! The legend doesn't say the new owners can't sell the house in the future. The owners are still likely to sell the house for themselves when the time comes, but leaving the statue can have different consequences. Try another answer...

Tips

Believe. Burying a statue of St. Joseph should be done as an act of faith, rather than as an act of superstition or good luck. Act in sincerity, pray in earnest, and believe that the help you are asking for will come your way.

To bury a statue of St. Joseph when selling a house, start by purchasing a small statue at a Catholic supply store. Next, wrap the statue in a clean, soft washcloth, or place it in a resealable plastic bag to protect it from dirt and damage. Then, bury the statue near the “For Sale” sign or near the road in front of your house. If you live in an apartment or condo, bury the statue in a large flower pot, and place it on your deck, patio, or windowsill.

References

Reader Success Stories

RS

Rachel Simeone

Jul 8, 2017

"I have had many people tell me that this works, and now that we'll be selling our home, I decided to purchase the kit and do all that I have to. After its all said and done, I plan on making a donation to one of my favorite charities. "..." more

Rated this article:

TB

Tricia B.

Mar 13, 2017

"We have had our house on the market for 49 days and it hasn't sold yet, but was told about this and going to buy a statue this morning. Will keep you posted on how and when if it works for us. Love the instructions on what to do. "..." more

A

Anonymous

Jun 4, 2017

"After living in our house 5 years, we found a statue of St. Joseph buried in our yard when replacing some bushes and flowers. I didn't know the meaning. I will wash it up and put it in the house."..." more

MB

Maggy Butler

Jul 23, 2017

"Thank you for the story and the detail about what to do, how to do it, and the prayer to St. Joseph. I was looking it up for my sister who is in need of selling her house."..." more

AR

Aaron Ruiz

Jun 10, 2017

"My boyfriend and I were looking online for information on how to properly and respectfully bury a St. Joseph statue for the selling of a home. The article helped. Thanks."..." more

Rated this article:

DF

Duke and Margi Ford

Jul 7, 2017

"We're waiting for all the details to finalize. Then we will rescue St. Joseph and place him prominently on our mantel, and ask him to help us find our new home."..." more

LR

Linda R.

Oct 22, 2016

"That I can bury the statue indoors the next time I do this since I have brats for squirrels!!!! At least they were thoughtful enough to leave me a peanut!"..." more

DS

Donna S.

Sep 1, 2016

"Did not know for sure where to bury him. Thanks. I so desperately need to sell my house. Husband passed away and things are changing."..." more

AM

Ann Mancuso

Jul 12, 2018

"Heard about this from a lot of people...wasn't sure where it came from and how it worked, better understanding of it now..."..." more

A

Anonymous

Jul 1, 2017

"I'm selling my home soon and need this information in order to move forward with the process of selling our home."

BM

Bero Meouser

Aug 5, 2016

"Very thorough and informative, brought several schools of thought on the matter together."